Container enclosing a dose of a food or beverage ingredient, assembly including such a container and a food or beverage preparation machine, and food or beverage preparation process implementing such an assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a container ( 1 ) for enclosing a dose ( 2 ) of a food or beverage ingredient. The container ( 1 ) has a first region ( 8 ) for cooperating with a liquid injection device ( 106 ) that has several injectors ( 116 ) distributed over an injection area ( 118 ). The container ( 1 ) has a second region ( 10 ) for being punctured by a puncturing device ( 108 ) that has several puncturing elements ( 120 ) distributed over a puncturing area ( 122 ). The container ( 1 ) is composed of at least one dissolvable material. The invention is also directed to an assembly ( 101 ) including such a container ( 1 ) and a food or beverage preparation machine ( 102 ). The invention is further directed to a food or beverage preparation process implementing such an assembly ( 101 ).

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a container enclosing a dose of a food orbeverage ingredient. The invention is further directed to an assemblyincluding such a container and a food or beverage preparation machine,for preparing a food or beverage product.

2. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Such containers are configured to enclose a dose of a food or beverageingredient, e.g. coffee ground or tea extract, so as to prepare a foodor beverage, e.g. coffee or tea, when placed in a food or beveragepreparation machine. During a preparation process, the food or beveragepreparation machine is configured to inject a drinkable liquid likewater in the container. After interaction of the food or beverageingredient with the injected liquid, the beverage is discharged out ofthe container and dispensed in a cup or a glass, from which the user mayingest the beverage or food. Such containers are commonly made ofplastics or plastic laminates.

However, the materials composing these containers are difficult or longto recycle or compost. As a result, a certain amount of waste can beproduced and it requires quite some energy to handle this waste.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the invention to provide a container enclosing adose of a food or beverage ingredient, which can alleviate or obviatethe shortcomings of the existing containers. Another object of theinvention is to provide an assembly including such a container and afood or beverage preparation machine. In the following are describedvarious aspects and embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect, the invention is directed to a containerfor enclosing a dose of a food or beverage ingredient,

-   -   wherein the container has a first region configured to cooperate        with a liquid injection device that is part of a food or        beverage preparation machine and that has a plurality of        injectors distributed over an injection area, the liquid        injection device being for example in the form of a shower,    -   wherein the container has a second region configured to be        punctured by a puncturing device that is part of the food or        beverage preparation machine and that has a plurality of        puncturing elements, the puncturing elements being distributed        over a puncturing area, the puncturing device being for example        in the form of a pyramid plate,    -   wherein the container is composed of at least one dissolvable        material, the container optionally consisting essentially in        said at least one dissolvable material, the container preferably        consisting only in said at least one dissolvable material.

Thus, the container, together with or separated from the food orbeverage ingredient used, can be easily and quickly composted orrecycled, while requiring little or no energy from the user to handlethe produced waste. In particular, this is made possible since thecontainer and the used food or beverage ingredient are wet, i.e. coveredor impregnated by the liquid after the food or beverage preparationprocess.

Further, as the first and second regions may have relatively largesurface areas with respect to the overall surface area of the containerin order to respectively cooperate with a large injection device and alarge puncturing device, the liquid may quickly cover and impregnatemost or all of the container including the food or beverage ingredient.This increases the ease and speed of composting or recycling thecontainer.

Further, the container may enhance the user experience, since the userdoes not need to open or empty any envelope or packaging before havingthe food or beverage product prepared. Also, the usual plastic waste dueto such an envelope or packaging is not generated by a containeraccording to the present invention.

In the present disclosure, the term “food or beverage ingredient” may beconstrued as encompassing also ingredients suitable for preparing a foodproduct and a beverage product concomitantly.

In the present disclosure, the term “dissolvable” may be construed asqualifying a material that has a relatively high solubility in theliquid, say in water, in particular under the following conditions: Amembrane made out of a dissolvable material and having 100 μm (microns)of thickness dissolves in water in less than 10 minutes at ambienttemperature and under atmospheric pressure.

In the present disclosure, the term “consisting essentially in” may beconstrued as meaning that that specific further components can bepresent, namely those not materially affecting the essentialcharacteristics of the container. For example, a container consistingessentially in the at least one dissolvable material may comprisebetween 90 and 99% of said dissolvable material.

In the present disclosure, the term “consisting only in” or “consistingin” may be construed as meaning that no further materials are present inthe container other than the at least one dissolvable material.

In a pyramid plate, most or all of the puncturing elements maysubstantially be shaped as pyramids or truncated pyramids or similarpolyhedrons like sharp tetrahedrons.

According to an embodiment, the container may be configured such that,when the container is arranged in an extraction cell of the food orbeverage preparation machine during a food or beverage preparationprocess:

-   -   a liquid injected by the liquid injection device may enter the        container via the first region,    -   the liquid entered in the container may interact with the dose,    -   a food or beverage product resulting from said interacting may        exit the container via the second region, and    -   the container may start dissolving or at least partially        dissolve, preferably after leaving the extraction cell, most        preferably after reaching a collecting chamber of the food or        beverage preparation machine.

Thus, most or all of the container may resist dissolution during apredetermined length of time, which avoids that the container sticks orloses bits in the extraction cell.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the at least one dissolvablematerial may be selected such that most or all of the container maystart dissolving after the predetermined length of time.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the at least one dissolvablematerial may be selected such that the container can hold water,injected under a pressure of 7 to 15 bar of and a temperature of 75 to95° C. (Celsius) for a duration comprised in 10 to 120 seconds.Typically, a food or beverage preparation process, for example a brewingprocess, may be operated during 1 min at 90° C.

According to an embodiment, the at least one dissolvable material mayhave oxygen barrier properties.

Thus, the food or beverage ingredient may be relatively well preservedfrom oxidation before use, hence have a relatively long shelf life.

In the present disclosure, the term “oxygen barrier properties” may beconstrued as meaning that less than 3 cm³/m²/day/bar (cubic centimeterper square meter per day per bar) of oxygen may pass through a membraneconsisting in the dissolvable material at 23° C. (Celsius) and 50%(percent) of relative humidity (RH).

According to an embodiment, the container may be coated with a film madeof a material having high moisture barrier properties.

Thus, the high moisture barrier properties may enhance the preservationof the container and the food or beverage ingredient therein. Such filmmay be selected as at least partially dissolvable.

Preferably, such film may be secured to the container by laminationbefore shaping the container. Preferably, such a film may be selected inthe group consisting of: gums, waxes, celluloses, and mixtures thereof.Optionally, the gum may be selected in the group consisting of: xanthangum, gellan gum, seed gum, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, thewax may be selected in the group consisting of: bees wax, carnauba,paraffin, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the cellulose may beselected in the group consisting of: methylcellulose (MC),carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC),hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC).

In the present disclosure, the expression “high moisture barrierproperties” may be construed as designating a material that lets pass,through a membrane, less than 3 g/m²/day (grams per square meter perday) of humidity at 23° C. (Celsius) and 85% of relative humidity (RH)under atmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, the container may include, in the formulation ofthe at least one dissolvable material, at least one additive selected toincrease the moisture barrier properties of the dissolvable material.Preferably, such an additive may be a plasticizer, which may optionallybe selected in the group consisting in: glycerol, alginates, andmixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the container may be composed of a blend ofdissolvable materials, for example: a blend of sodium alginate andpullulan film, a blend of calcium caseinate and citrus pectin, or ablend of various starches. Thus, the moisture barrier properties may beenhanced.

According to an embodiment, the at least one dissolvable material mayconsist essentially in at least one edible material, the containerpreferably consisting only in said at least one edible material.

Thus, the container may be eaten by a user, in particular after thepreparation of the food or beverage product.

According to an embodiment, the at least one dissolvable material,preferably the at least one edible material, may be selected in thegroup consisting of: seaweed, seaweed extract, celluloses,polysaccharides, proteins, and mixtures thereof, the seaweed includingin particular alginates, polysaccharides including in particularpullulan.

Thus, the edible material may preserve the food or beverage ingredient,and the container may be relatively easy to manufacture, manipulate andtransport. Each one of these edible materials has been subject to acomplete assessment under a number of criteria, including functional,mechanical and safety criteria as well as the suitability of the ediblematerial for liquids. In particular, these edible materials may providerelatively high oxygen barrier properties and/or moisture barrierproperties. Besides, some, most or all of these edible materials may betasteless and odourless and offer a good processability to shape thecontainer, in particular an ability to be printed on and heat-sealed.

In particular embodiments:

-   -   pullulans are for example available under the tradenames        Listerine Pocketpaks® and Capsugel Plantcaps®;    -   the seaweed or seaweed extract may be selected in the group        consisting of: alginates, agars, algae, carrageenan, and        mixtures thereof;    -   seaweeds are for example available under the tradenames Evoware        and Loliware;    -   the cellulose may be selected in the group consisting of:        methylcellulose (MC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC),        hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC),        hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and mixtures thereof;    -   a CMC and a HPMC are for example available respectively under        the tradenames NatureFlex™ and Capsugel Licaps®;    -   the polysaccharides may be selected in the group consisting of:        corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, maize starch, and        mixtures thereof;    -   the proteins may be selected in the group consisting of: soy        protein isolate, corn zein, whey, caseins, caseinates, and        mixtures thereof;    -   the alginates may be selected among salts of alginic acid;    -   alginates are for example available under the tradenames Ooho!®        commercialized by the company Skipping Rocks Lab, and WikiCell.

According to an embodiment, the food or beverage ingredient may beselected in the group consisting of: ground coffee, coffee extract, tealeaves, tea extract, milk powder, vegetable powder, fruit powder, andmixtures thereof.

Thus, the containers may be provided with various food or beverageingredients in order to prepare various food or beverage products.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the container may becomprised between 10 μm and 200 μm (microns).

Thus, the container may hold the liquid during the food or beveragepreparation process, while being compostable in a relatively short time.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the container may be substantiallyconstant. Alternatively, the thickness of the container may vary.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the container may be selected, inconjunction with a composition of the at least one dissolvable material,so as to achieve a composting over a certain length of time.

According to an embodiment, the container may comprise at least one partdefining a cavity for housing the dose and at least one part configuredto close said cavity, said parts having respective flanges sealedtogether, preferably in a liquid-tight manner, such that the containermay be configured as a closed package.

Thus, the container may prevent an ingress of moisture or other externalelement that could otherwise alter the food or beverage ingredient.

According to an embodiment, the flanges may be flexible. Optionally, theflanges may have an annular protruding shape extending partially ortotally around the cavity.

Thus, the container may easily be inserted in the food and beveragepreparation machine. Since the flanges may accommodate slightlyinaccurate positions, hence small stresses, during the manipulation,storage, transportation, and installation of the container in the foodor beverage preparation machine, it may be avoided that the rest of thecontainer be subject to such stresses.

According to an embodiment, the container may further comprise at leastone paper layer including paper or paper fibers, said at least one paperlayer preferably consisting in paper or paper fibers, said at least onepaper layer surrounding the at least one dissolvable material.

Thus, such paper layer(s) may enhance the preservation, hence increasethe shelf life, of the food or beverage ingredient, while enhancing itsability to be manipulated, stored, transported and used. The paper layermay form a secondary packaging, while the dissolvable material may forma primary packaging that is directly in contact with the food orbeverage ingredient.

According to an embodiment, the first region may have a substantiallyflat surface, preferably a flat surface, and/or the second region mayhave a substantially flat surface, preferably a flat surface,

-   -   the first region optionally having substantially or exactly the        shape of a circular disc, and/or the second region optionally        having substantially or exactly the shape of a circular disc.

Thus, such design of the first region and/or of the second region maysimplify the design and manufacturing of the injection device and/or ofthe puncturing device.

According to an embodiment, the first region may have substantially orexactly the shape of a circular disc, and/or the second region may havesubstantially or exactly the shape of a circular disc.

Thus, such design of the first region may promote a uniform distributionin the flow of the liquid entering the container and the food orbeverage ingredient, which optimizes the use of the food or beverageingredient. Further, such design of the second region may promote auniform distribution in the flow of the food or beverage product exitingfrom the container, hence facilitate the collection of the food orbeverage product.

A container according to the first aspect may form, together with a doseenclosed therein, a capsule, a pod, a cartridge or any similar portionenclosing the food or beverage ingredient.

According to a second aspect, the invention is directed to an assemblyincluding a food or beverage preparation machine and a containeraccording to any of the preceding aspect and embodiments, wherein thefood or beverage preparation machine comprises:

-   -   an extraction cell configured to hold the container during a        food or beverage preparation process,    -   a liquid injection device having a plurality of injectors        distributed over an injection area, the injection device being        configured to cooperate with the first region of the container,        the liquid injection device being for example in the form of a        shower,    -   a puncturing device having a plurality of puncturing elements        distributed over a puncturing area, the puncturing device being        configured to cooperate with the second region of the container,        the puncturing device being for example in the form of a pyramid        plate, and    -   preferably, a collecting chamber configured to collect the        container after it has been removed from the extraction cell,        such that the container may at least partially dissolve in the        collecting chamber.

Thus, such an assembly may enhance the ease and speed of composting orrecycling of the containers used therein, while requiring little or noenergy to handle the produced waste. The container may be part of theextraction cell itself.

In some embodiments, the pyramid plate may have most or all of thepuncturing elements substantially shaped as pyramids or truncatedpyramids or similar polyhedrons like sharp tetrahedrons.

According to a third aspect, the invention is directed to food orbeverage preparation process for preparing a food or beverage product,the food or beverage preparation process comprising:

-   -   implementing an assembly according to any of the preceding        aspect and embodiments,    -   placing the container in the extraction cell,    -   closing the extraction cell, such that the plurality of        injectors pierce the container, preferably the first region,    -   injecting liquid in the container via the liquid injection        device, such that the plurality of puncturing elements puncture        the container, preferably the second region,    -   stopping the injection of liquid,    -   discharging the food or beverage product via the puncturing        device, preferably through a discharging duct arranged        downstream the puncturing device,    -   opening the extraction cell,    -   removing the container and the food or beverage ingredient from        the extraction cell, and preferably putting the container in a        collecting chamber, and    -   at least partially or completely dissolving of the container,        preferably (at least partially) in the collecting chamber.

Thus, such a food or beverage preparation process may be operatedeasily, while enhancing the ease and speed of composting or recycling ofthe containers used therein, and requiring little or no energy to handlethe produced waste.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will now bedescribed in relation to the embodiments of the enclosed figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective cut view of an assembly accordingto an embodiment of the invention and including a container according toan embodiment of the invention, the food or beverage preparation machinebeing in an open position.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective cut view of the assembly of FIG. 1, the food or beverage preparation machine being in a closed position.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view, from below, of a part of theassembly of FIG. 2 , in particular of the container.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view, from above, of a part of theassembly of FIG. 2 , in particular of the container.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a food or beverage preparation processaccording to an embodiment of the invention and implementing theassembly and container of FIG. 1-4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show, in accordance with the invention, an assembly101 including a container 1 and a beverage preparation machine 102. Anobject of the assembly 101 is to enhance the ease and speed ofcomposting or recycling of the container 1 that is used therein, whilerequiring little or no energy to handle the produced waste.

The beverage preparation machine 102 comprises an extraction cell 104, aliquid injection device 106, a puncturing device 108 and a collectingchamber 110.

The extraction cell 104 is configured to hold the container 1 during afood or beverage preparation process, the so-called extraction. Theextraction cell 104 may include an upstream component 112 and adownstream component 114. The upstream component 112 and the downstreamcomponent 114 may be movable between:

-   -   an open configuration as visible in FIG. 1 , where a container 1        may be introduced in or removed from the extraction cell 104,        and    -   a closed configuration as visible in FIG. 2 , where the        container 1 may be processed.

The liquid injection device 106 has a plurality of injectors 116, whichare distributed over an injection area 118 as visible in FIG. 3 . Theinjection area 118 may extend over a circle where the injectors 116 aredistributed. In particular, the liquid injection device 106 may be inthe form of a shower. The injection device 106 may be integral with orsecured to the upstream component 112. The injectors 116 may beconfigured to pierce an upstream part of the container 1.

The upstream component 112 may further have an injection duct 117 asvisible in FIG. 1 . The injection duct 117 may fluidly connect theliquid injection device 106 to a non-illustrated liquid displacing unit,for example a pump, arranged upstream the injection duct 117. The liquidinjection device 106 may be configured to guide a liquid, for examplewater, flowing from the injection duct 117 and the upstream component112 into the container 1 in order to inject this liquid into thecontainer 1 and have it interact with the beverage ingredient.

The puncturing device 108 has a plurality of puncturing elements 120 forpuncturing the container 1. The puncturing elements 120 are distributedover a puncturing area 122 as visible in FIG. 4 . The puncturing area122 may extend over a circle where the puncturing elements 120 aredistributed.

The puncturing device 108 may be in the form of a pyramid plate, inwhich most or all of the puncturing elements 120 may substantially beshaped as pyramids or truncated pyramids or similar polyhedrons likesharp tetrahedrons. The puncturing device 108 may be integral with orsecured to the downstream component 114. The puncturing device 108 maybe configured to pierce a downstream part of the container 1.

The puncturing device 108 may be configured to guide out of thecontainer 1 the beverage product resulting from an interaction of theliquid with the beverage ingredient inside the container 1. Thepuncturing device 108 may be configured to let the beverage product passthrough it.

The downstream component 114 may further have a discharging duct 119 asvisible in FIG. 1 . The discharging duct 119 may fluidly connect thepuncturing device 108, hence the container 1, to a non-illustratedliquid dispensing unit, which may in turn dispense the beverage productinto a receptacle like a cup.

The collecting chamber 110 may be configured to collect a container 1after it has been removed from the extraction cell 104. The collectingchamber 110 may be formed by a receptacle of a volume suitable forreceiving several used containers 1. The collecting chamber 110 may bedetachably coupled to the beverage preparation machine 102. A user maydetach the collecting chamber 110 to empty it from the used containers 1and then recouple the collecting chamber 110 to the beverage preparationmachine 102.

An exemplary structure of the container 1 will now be described inrelation to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 . The container 1 encloses a dose 2 ofground coffee as a beverage ingredient, as symbolized by the arrow 2 inFIG. 1 . the container 1 and the dose 2 may form a capsule, a pod, acartridge or any similar portion.

The container 1 may comprise a part 4 defining a cavity for receivingthe dose 2 and a part 6 configured to close said cavity. The parts 4 and6 may have respective flanges 4.1 and 6.1 sealed together in aliquid-tight manner, such that the container 1 may be configured as aclosed package and prevent an ingress of, e.g., moisture. The parts 4and 6 may be flexible. In particular, the flanges 4.1 and 6.1 may beflexible. The flanges 4.1 and 6.1 may have an annular protruding shapeextending all around the cavity containing the dose 2. The flanges 4.1and 6.1 may be flat.

The container 1 has a first region 8 configured to cooperate with theliquid injection device 106. In particular, the first region 8 may beconfigured to be pierced by the injectors 116. The container 1 has asecond region 10 configured to be punctured by the puncturing device108, in particular by the puncturing elements 120.

As visible in FIG. 1-4 the first region 8 may have a flat surface, andthe second region 10 may have a flat surface. The first region 8 mayhave exactly the shape of a circular disc, and the second region 10 mayhave exactly the shape of a circular disc. Such a design of the firstregion 8 may promote a uniform distribution in the flow of the liquidentering the container 1 and the dose 2. Further, such a design of thesecond region 10 may promote a uniform distribution in the flow of thebeverage product exiting from the container 1.

As visible in FIG. 2 , the container 1 may be configured such that, whenthe container 1 is arranged in the extraction cell 104 during a beveragepreparation process:

-   -   a liquid, say water, injected by the liquid injection device 106        may enter the container via the first region 8,    -   the liquid entered in the container 1 may interact with the dose        2,    -   a beverage product resulting from said interacting may exit the        container 1 via the second region 10.

Then, the beverage product may flow through the discharging duct 119 anddownstream to the dispensing unit and a user's cup.

The first region 8 and the second region 10 may have relatively largesurface areas to enhance respectively the ingress of the liquid in thecontainer 10 and the discharge of the liquid out of the container 10, aswell as to reduce the time required for the complete composting orrecycling of the container 10.

An exemplary nature or composition of the container 1 will now bedescribed. The container 1 is composed of at least one dissolvablematerial. In the example of FIG. 1-4 , the container may consistessentially in a dissolvable material. After the beverage preparationprocess, the container 1 may start dissolving, preferably after leavingthe extraction cell 104, most preferably after reaching the collectingchamber 110.

In the example of FIG. 1-4 the dissolvable material may consist in oneor more polysaccharides, for example in starches like corn starch. Thedissolvable material may have oxygen barrier properties, so as topreserve the beverage ingredient from oxidation before use. Thedissolvable material may consist only in an edible material.

In addition, the container 1 may include a non-illustrated film becoated on a layer of the dissolvable material. The film may be securedto the dissolvable material by lamination before forming the container 1into its final shape of FIG. 1-4 . The film may be made of a materialhaving high moisture barrier properties. In the example of FIG. 1-4 thefilm may be consist in a xanthan gum. Thus, the container may havemoisture barrier properties.

Thus, a used container 1, together with its dose 2, can be easily andquickly composted or recycled, while requiring little or no energy fromthe user to handle the produced waste. In particular, this is madepossible since the container 1 and the used dose 2 are wet, i.e. coveredor impregnated by the liquid after the corresponding beveragepreparation process.

The first region 8 and the second region 10 may have relatively largesurface areas with respect to the overall surface area of the container1 in order to respectively cooperate with the injection device 106 andthe puncturing device 108. Thus, the liquid may quickly cover andimpregnate most or all of the container 1 including the dose 2, whichincreases the ease and speed of composting or recycling the container 1.

In the example of FIG. 1-4 , the container 1 forms the sole packagingfor the dose 2. This may enhance the user experience, since the userdoes not need to open or empty any envelope or additional packagingbefore having the beverage product prepared. Also, the usual plasticwaste due to such an envelope or additional packaging is not generatedwith the container 1.

Further, the thickness of the dissolvable material may be selected suchthat most or all of the container 1 may start dissolving after apredetermined length of time. Most or all of the container 1 may resistdissolution during the predetermined length of time, which approximatelycorresponds to the duration of the beverage preparing process.

For example, the thickness of the dissolvable material may be selectedsuch that the container 1 can hold the liquid injected therein. Thethickness of the container 1 may be selected between 10 μm and 200 μm(microns). The thickness of the container 1 may be substantiallyconstant.

Further, the thickness of the container 1 and the composition of thedissolvable material may be selected, so as to achieve a composting overa certain length of time, for example of between a few hours and severalweeks, e.g. up to 12 weeks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a beverage preparation process 201, which implementsthe assembly 101 along with a container 1, the beverage preparationprocess comprising:

-   -   202) implementing the assembly 101,    -   204) placing the container 1 in the extraction cell 104,    -   206) closing the extraction cell 104, such that the plurality of        injectors 116 pierce the container 1, preferably the first        region 8,    -   208) injecting liquid in the container 1 via the liquid        injection device 106, such that the plurality of puncturing        elements 120 puncture the container 1, preferably the second        region 10,    -   210) stopping the injection of liquid,    -   212) discharging the beverage product via the puncturing device        108, preferably through the discharging duct 119 arranged        downstream the puncturing device 108,    -   214) opening the extraction cell 104,    -   216) removing the container 1 and the beverage ingredient from        the extraction cell 104, and preferably putting the container 1        in the collecting chamber 110, and    -   218) at least partially or even completely dissolving of the        container 1, preferably (at least partially) in the collecting        chamber 110.

The invention is not limited to the afore-described embodiments, andother embodiments may be implemented as long as they are covered by thescope of protection conferred by one of the appended claims.

1. Container for enclosing a dose of a food or beverage ingredient,wherein the container has a first region configured to cooperate with aliquid injection device that is part of a food or beverage preparationmachine and that has a plurality of injectors distributed over aninjection area, wherein the container has a second region configured tobe punctured by a puncturing device that is part of the food or beveragepreparation machine and that has a plurality of puncturing elements, thepuncturing elements being distributed over a puncturing area, whereinthe container is composed of at least one dissolvable material. 2.Container according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured suchthat, when the container is arranged in an extraction cell of the foodor beverage preparation machine during a food or beverage preparationprocess: a liquid injected by the liquid injection device may enter thecontainer via the first region, the liquid entered in the container mayinteract with the dose, a food or beverage product resulting from saidinteracting may exit the container via the second region, and thecontainer may start dissolving or may at least partially dissolve. 3.Container according to any one of the preceding claim 1, wherein the atleast one dissolvable material has oxygen barrier properties. 4.Container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dissolvablematerial consists essentially in at least one edible material. 5.Container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one dissolvablematerial is selected from the group consisting of: seaweed, seaweedextract, celluloses, polysaccharides, proteins, and mixtures thereof. 6.Container according to claim 1, wherein the food or beverage ingredientis selected from the group consisting of: ground coffee, coffee extract,tea leaves, tea extract, milk powder, vegetable powder, fruit powder,and mixtures thereof.
 7. Container according to claim 1, wherein thethickness of the container, or the thickness of the at least onedissolvable material as the case may be, is between 10 μm and 200 μm. 8.Container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises at leastone part defining a cavity for housing the dose and at least one partconfigured to close said cavity, said parts having respective flangessealed together such that the container may be configured as a closedpackage.
 9. Container according to claim 8, wherein the flanges areflexible.
 10. Container according to claim 1, wherein the container iscoated with a film made of a material having high moisture barrierproperties.
 11. Container according to claim 1, wherein the containerfurther comprises at least one paper layer including paper or paperfibers.
 12. Container according to claim 1, wherein the first region hasa substantially flat surface and wherein the second region has asubstantially flat surface.
 13. Assembly including a food or beveragepreparation machine and a container for enclosing a dose of a food orbeverage ingredient, wherein the container has a first region configuredto cooperate with a liquid injection device that is part of a food orbeverage preparation machine and that has a plurality of injectorsdistributed over an injection area, the liquid injection device beingfor example in the form of a shower, wherein the container has a secondregion configured to be punctured by a puncturing device that is part ofthe food or beverage preparation machine and that has a plurality ofpuncturing elements, the puncturing elements being distributed over apuncturing area, wherein the container is composed of at least onedissolvable material, wherein the food or beverage preparation machinecomprises: an extraction cell configured to hold the container during afood or beverage preparation process, a liquid injection device having aplurality of injectors distributed over an injection area, the injectiondevice being configured to cooperate with the first region of thecontainer, the liquid injection device being for example in the form ofa shower, and a puncturing device having a plurality of puncturingelements distributed over a puncturing area, the puncturing device beingconfigured to cooperate with the second region of the container. 14.(canceled)